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Dallas Mavericks trade grade: Johnathan Motley heads to the Clippers

By Tyler Watts

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Johnathan Motley #6 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 92-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Johnathan Motley #6 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 92-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks traded away former two-way player Johnathan Motley to the Clippers on July 23, and we evaluate that transaction.

The Dallas Mavericks continued a busy Monday of transactions with a trade.  The deal was by no means a blockbuster.  In fact, the Mavs likely received nothing more than cash out of the transaction.  Let us break the trade down for you.

The trade

Dallas receives: draft rights to Maarty Leunen and cash

LA Clippers receive: Johnathan Motley and draft rights to Renaldas Seibutis

The Mavs haul

Other than the money, Dallas acquired the rights to a 32-year-old American born player who has not played stateside since college.  Leunen was a second-round draft choice out of Oregon in 2008 and has played four different years in the summer league.

Must Read: Mavs players who must improve for the sake of the team

Maarty Leunen played in Italy last season.  He averaged 6.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.0 3-pointer made, and 1.5 turnovers per game in 28.4 minutes a night over 57 games.

Leunen likely never comes to the NBA at this stage in his career.

What Dallas gave up

The Mavericks moved on from fan-favorite center Johnathan Motley.  The 23-year-old played on a two-way deal last season after going undrafted.  Motley is an energy big man.  He became expendable after being passed in the pecking order by rookie Ray Spalding this offseason.  Motley now joins the Clippers in search of a more significant role in coming seasons.

Dallas also gave up the draft rights to a 33-year-old Lithuania wing that is unlikely to ever play in the NBA after being draft in 2007.

Trade Grade: D

The Mavs moved on from Johnathan Motley for cash essentially.  That leaves Dallas a second two-way contract to use on a promising talent, but Motley fit that mold well.

The Mavs clearly made the decision that Motley was never going to be a significant piece of their rotation, so they moved on.  What they do with that spot has a vast impact on this deal, though.

Final thoughts

The Dallas Mavericks traded away Johnathan Motley and the rights to a 2007 draft prospect for the rights to a player unlikely to ever play in the NBA and cash.  It capped a day of transactions for the Mavs front office.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to see who the Mavs sign to their second two-way contract for the coming season.  Hopefully, they find an exciting young piece to develop.

Next: 6 available free agents the Mavs should target

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